How do you like them apples? The Kouk’s surprising side hustle
Stephen Koukoulas is best known as a high-profile economic commentator. But the former political adviser now has a side hustle selling giant multicoloured apples.
"I'm sorry if I'm a little out of breath."
That's the first thing Stephen Koukoulas says when I call him to speak about the economy for Capital Brief. He's in a warehouse in North Melbourne, he explains, packing up orders for a new business venture. Specifically, he's selling giant ceramic apples and graffitied pears he gets from a company based in Portugal.
Say what now?
“I still love economics, the RBA, house prices, inflation, wages, all that is great,” he assures me, when later asked why he's started a side hustle focused on European art.
“But I love that this is something that’s completely different. Unloading the container and opening the box of these different things, they’re wonderful, it’s such a thrill.”
As managing director of his own economic advisory firm Market Economics for over a decade he isn’t new to the world of small business and self-employment. However, he’s never dabbled in art before.
